Discover Retirement Plus, the organization that helps you find the ideal facility for your loved one
1. The origins and mission of Retraite Plus
Retraite Plus was founded over 15 years ago, in a context where the senior market was rapidly expanding and families felt an increasing need for support in their search for specialized establishments. This French company positioned itself from the beginning as a free assistance service for families, addressing a major social issue of our time.
The primary vocation of Retraite Plus is to support families in their search for nursing homes for their elderly parents or loved ones. This mission is part of a comprehensive assistance approach, ranging from needs assessment to support in administrative procedures.
The company was created in response to several societal observations: the aging of the French population, the increase in dependency situations, and the growing complexity of the landscape of senior establishments. In the face of these challenges, Retraite Plus has set itself the mission of simplifying and humanizing this delicate stage of family life.
The social commitment of Retraite Plus
Since its creation, Retraite Plus has offered a completely free service to families. This approach reflects a genuine social commitment to supporting elderly people and their families, without prior financial consideration.
Services offered by Retraite Plus
- Personalized support from gerontology advisors
- National database of over 2,000 establishments
- Real-time availability information
- Assistance in budget preparation and administrative procedures
- Guidance for all types of establishments
2. Clint Boublil: a committed leader with an atypical background
In 2007, Clint Boublil joined the company as CEO, bringing with him a rich personal experience that explains his particular sensitivity towards vulnerable people. His journey reflects a deep humanitarian commitment that is now found in the philosophy of Retraite Plus.
Clint Boublil's commitment to the Ethiopian cause has shaped his vision of service to others. He notably established remedial education systems for children in great difficulty in that country, thus developing an empathetic and structured approach to helping people in vulnerable situations.
His experience within a high-level rescue group, intervening in the aftermath of natural disasters (tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones), reinforced his belief that "supporting, assisting, reaching out to those in need" is an essential mission. This philosophy now permeates the entire approach of Retraite Plus.
"My personal experience has played a role in my sensitivity towards these more vulnerable people. Our actions allowed us to save people in imminent danger. Again, we had to support families in great difficulty, and this role is close to my heart."
This humanitarian experience is reflected in the methodology of Retraite Plus, which prioritizes listening, empathy, and personalized support for each family.
3. Why choose a nursing home: a thoughtful decision
The choice of a nursing home often results from a complex situation where several factors converge. Family caregivers, often professionally active parents, must simultaneously manage their family life, career, and caregiver role. This triple burden can lead to exhaustion, depression, and health problems for the caregiver themselves.
Some pathologies require specialized care that is difficult to organize at home. Cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, or mobility issues often require costly adaptations and constant monitoring that only trained professionals can effectively provide.
The recent health crisis related to Covid-19 has revealed new challenges in maintaining elderly people at home. Retraite Plus has received numerous testimonies from families who have observed a deterioration in their loved one's health, a lack of care, or dramatic isolation situations during lockdowns.
Before making the decision to place someone in an institution, objectively assess the care needs, the level of security required, and the impact on the quality of life of the elderly person and their family. Do not hesitate to use the cognitive stimulation programs COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES to maintain cognitive abilities before and after entering the institution.
4. The benefits of professional support in institutions
Nursing homes offer a secure environment where the elderly person benefits from the physical and psychological support of competent and trained teams. This professional care allows for a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the specific needs of each resident.
During the Covid-19 epidemic, many institutions demonstrated their exceptional commitment to their residents. Staff from several institutions even confined themselves for several weeks with the residents to avoid any risk and block the virus, illustrating the level of dedication of the teams.
Support in institutions also helps relieve the emotional and physical burden of family caregivers, allowing them to take on a role as a caring relative rather than an exhausted caregiver. This transition fosters more serene and fulfilling family relationships.
The benefits of professional support
In a facility, elderly people benefit from constant social stimulation, activities tailored to their condition, and regular medical follow-up. This holistic approach often contributes to an improvement in their quality of life and a longer maintenance of their abilities.
5. The challenges faced by families in their search
Families undertaking a search for a facility face many complex challenges. The first obstacle is identifying the real needs of their loved one: level of dependence, specific pathologies, medical needs, personal preferences, and budget constraints.
The geographical question often represents a puzzle for families. They must reconcile proximity to children to facilitate visits, a familiar environment to reassure the elderly person, and the actual availability of facilities in the desired area.
Financial aspects constitute another major challenge. The rates of facilities vary significantly depending on their location, standing, and services offered. Families must also navigate the complex system of available public aids: APA, ASH, tax reductions, and other support mechanisms.
Main difficulties identified by Retraite Plus
- Accurate assessment of the level of dependence and care needs
- Identification of facilities suitable for specific pathologies
- Search in the desired geographical area
- Budget optimization and access to financial aids
- Management of waiting lists and availability
- Understanding the different types of facilities
6. Testimonials from families: successful support
The testimonials collected by Retraite Plus illustrate the concrete impact of their support on the families' journey. Florence Mesenguy Terny shares her experience with advisor Corinne Alliot in finding a suitable facility for her 86-year-old father suffering from cognitive disorders and wandering.
Her testimony reveals the effectiveness of the Retraite Plus method: "In less than 15 minutes, I had the relevant and available facilities by email. I was contacted by the director of one of them, and the follow-up was very quick." This responsiveness contrasts with the difficulties usually encountered by families in their independent searches.
Manon Richard highlights the quality of the support received in an urgent context: "I was taken care of by Ms. Johanna AMICHE, who was very responsive and available given the rather urgent request (maximum 2 weeks). I felt listened to, reassured, and well-informed about the administrative procedures to follow."
"We found ourselves in an emergency situation where it was imperative to integrate him into a Nursing home, due to the geographical distance of my brothers and myself, and dealing with Covid-19..."
"I was fortunate to be put in touch with Mrs. Stella Costa. Her kindness, availability, competence, responsiveness, and caring nature allowed my Dad to be safe during this critical period."
7. Innovation and social commitment: Retraite Plus initiatives
Beyond its advisory service, Retraite Plus develops numerous innovative initiatives to improve the lives of seniors and strengthen social ties. The organization of painting contests for Nursing home residents and senior residences illustrates this creative approach to gerontological animation.
The painting contest organized before the health crisis was remarkably successful with nearly 220 participating establishments and 1,600 seniors involved in France and Belgium. This initiative demonstrates Retraite Plus's ability to unite the sector around stimulating projects for residents.
During the Covid period, Retraite Plus distributed over 40,000 magazines for free in partnership with Télé15Jours to residents of senior establishments. This act of solidarity reflects the company's constant social commitment, even in difficult times.
Innovation in service of seniors
These initiatives illustrate the importance of maintaining cognitive and social stimulation for elderly people in establishments. The COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES applications from DYNSEO are part of this same approach to technological innovation in service of healthy aging.
8. International comparison: France facing its European neighbors
The question of ease of access to senior establishments varies significantly across French regions and European countries. In France as in Belgium, places remain available in many areas, but some regions experience particularly long waiting lists.
Regional disparities can be explained by several factors: demographic density, territorial attractiveness, availability of establishments, and local policies for developing the gerontological sector. Urban and tourist regions often concentrate demand, creating tensions on the available supply.
Financial issues pose a major challenge in all European countries. Establishments try to adapt to family demands but face high internal costs: quality accommodation, catering, qualified staff, and specialized equipment necessary for optimal care.
Retraite Plus develops its partnerships with service residences and home care actors to meet the growing demand in these sectors that complement traditional Nursing homes.
9. Essential criteria for choosing an establishment
Location is one of the most important criteria when choosing an establishment. Proximity to family facilitates regular visits, which are essential for maintaining emotional ties and monitoring the quality of care. However, this proximity must be balanced with the quality of the available establishment.
The suitability of the care provided and the specific pathologies of the elderly person is a determining criterion. Some establishments specialize in welcoming people with Alzheimer's disease, while others focus on the care of physical disabilities or specific chronic illnesses.
The quality of services encompasses many aspects: catering, proposed activities, psychological support, medical care, as well as the overall atmosphere of the establishment and the qualifications of the staff. A thorough visit remains essential to assess these subjective but crucial elements.
Evaluation grid for choosing an establishment
- Location and accessibility for families
- Specialization in the care of relevant pathologies
- Quality and variety of services offered
- Total cost and applicable financial aid
- Family reviews and official evaluations
- Quality of reception and staff
- Living spaces and available equipment
- Activity program and cognitive stimulation
10. Financing: understanding available aids
The Personalized Autonomy Allowance (APA) is the main aid for elderly people experiencing loss of autonomy. Its amount varies according to the level of dependency assessed by the departmental medico-social team and the person's resources. This aid can be used for both home care and accommodation in an establishment.
The Social Housing Aid (ASH) represents a supplementary aid granted by the department when the person's resources and the APA are insufficient to cover accommodation costs. This aid is subject to resource conditions and may be recoverable from the estate.
Tax provisions also offer possibilities for relief: tax credit for employing a home worker before entering an establishment, tax deductions for expenses related to dependency, and in some cases, benefits related to previously subscribed dependency insurance.
An optimal funding strategy combines several sources: public aid, personal resources, family support, and possibly insurance products. Retraite Plus supports families in this complex process.
The earlier the planning, the more funding options are available. It is recommended to seek information as soon as the first signs of loss of autonomy appear.
11. The rights and dignity of residents
Respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of residents is an essential pillar of quality of life in institutions. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the hosted person guarantees, in particular, the right to information, participation in decisions, respect for privacy, and the exercise of civil rights.
The right to information implies that residents are kept informed about the care they receive, the rules of life in the establishment, and their rights. This transparency fosters a trusting relationship between the care team, the resident, and their family.
Participation in decisions regarding daily life allows residents to maintain a form of autonomy and control over their environment. This includes choices regarding activities, non-urgent care, and the organization of their personal space.
Ensure respect for rights
Families play an important role in monitoring the respect of these rights. Do not hesitate to communicate regularly with the management team and to use participation tools such as social life councils.
12. The importance of activities and cognitive stimulation
Activity programs in nursing homes play a crucial role in maintaining the cognitive and social abilities of residents. These activities must be adapted to the different levels of autonomy and the individual preferences of each hosted person.
Regular cognitive stimulation helps delay the decline of mental functions and maintain a sense of personal value. Memory workshops, board games, and new technologies such as COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES applications provide varied supports for this stimulation.
Adapted physical activities contribute to maintaining mobility and preventing falls, a major issue among elderly people. Gentle gym, therapeutic dance, and balance exercises are all beneficial approaches for the physical and mental health of residents.
Digital tools like COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES are revolutionizing cognitive stimulation in nursing homes. These applications offer exercises tailored to all levels and allow for personalized tracking of each resident's progress.
13. The Evolution of the Sector and Future Perspectives
The sector of establishments for elderly people is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by demographic changes, new expectations from families, and technological innovation. Service residences are developing to meet the demand for preserved autonomy with enhanced security.
Assisted home care also represents a growing alternative, supported by the development of tele-assistance technologies, professionalized home services, and smart home adaptations. This option often requires expert support to be implemented effectively.
The integration of digital technology in gerontological support opens up new perspectives: medical teleconsultation, cognitive stimulation through applications, maintaining social connections via videoconferencing, and remote monitoring of health parameters. These innovations are gradually transforming care methods.
Retraite Plus is evolving with its market by developing partnerships with new players in the sector: service residences, home care providers, and innovative technological solutions.
This evolution allows families to be offered an increasingly wide and personalized range of solutions, tailored to the changing expectations of new generations of seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Retraite Plus service is completely free for families. Personalized support, establishment searches, and advice are provided at no cost. This free service is part of the company's social commitment.
Retraite Plus has national coverage with over 2,000 partner establishments spread across France. The service is also available in Belgium. The advisors are familiar with regional specifics and can guide you anywhere in France.
Deadlines vary depending on the urgency of the situation and specific criteria. In some urgent cases, a solution can be found in a few days. For a standard search, generally count between 2 and 4 weeks. Retirement Plus adapts to your pace and constraints.
Retirement Plus maintains direct relationships with the establishments in its network, conducts regular visits, and monitors official evaluations from health authorities. The company also collects feedback from families supported to maintain a high level of quality.
Yes, it is possible to change establishments if the first solution does not fit perfectly. Retirement Plus continues its support after the initial placement and can help you find a more suitable alternative if necessary. The goal is the complete satisfaction of the family and the resident.
Stimulate the cognitive abilities of your loved one
Complement the support in the establishment with our cognitive stimulation programs COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES, specially designed for elderly people and suitable for all levels of dependence.
Did this content help you? Support DYNSEO 💙
We are a small team of 14 people based in Paris. For 13 years, we have been creating free content to help families, speech therapists, care homes and healthcare professionals.
Your feedback is the only way we know if our work is useful. A Google review helps us reach other families, caregivers and therapists who need it.
One action, 30 seconds: leave us a Google review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It costs nothing, and it changes everything for us.